Surgery workshop on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Dar es Salaam

IF facilitated a training on the surgery of children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus for Pan African Pediatric surgeons (PAPSA) prior their conference "Trauma and Disability" in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Neurosurgeons Prof. Albright (US) and Dr. Kashinga (Zambia) performed several successful back closures, shuntings and ETV/CPC procedures on Tanzanian children during a teaching workshop at MOI in Muhimbili National Hospital. The surgeons attending the workshop gained confidence in the treatment of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in the African context.

One of the children who were successfully operated on during the surgery workshop in Tanzania

IF's international solidarity now known under the name IF Child Help

During the board meeting in Dublin IF decided to name its work in developing countries IF Child Help. In Belgium and Uganda NGOs are already registered under the name IF Child Help Belgium. It is hoped that many countries will follow. During IF's annual African Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, parent groups from various East African countries and India were trained to become real NGOs to advocate for our children, adults and families. Sudan took the lead and became a full member of IF during IF's General Meeting in Dublin. IF invited the Indian Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus foundation and the Mumbai parent group at the workshop in Dar Es Salaam, because IF Child Help hopes to become more active in India as well.

Ali Almubarak, president of the Sudan association for Spina Bifida, and
his family

European Commission highlights the need for Folic Acid supplementation

In response to the parliamentary question posed by MEPs Dr. Antonyia Parvanova, Edite Estrela and Ria Oomen-Ruijten, EU Health Commissioner John Dalli answers that the Commission shares their concern for the need for adequate levels of Folic Acid intake by woman of childbearing age before conception and during early pregnancy. Through the Commission's Communication on Rare Diseases, Member States are encouraged to take primary preventive actions, such as promoting Folic Acid supplementation, when possible. However, it is up to the Member States to decide whether or not they wish to introduce alternative or complementary measures such as voluntary food fortification with Folic Acid. IF and its members will continue to work on the EU and national level to keep primary prevention a top priority. Read the full answer.